11 minute read
Two Dream Destinations, Maldives
Lily Beach Resort & Spa
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Nestled on a private island amidst the serene clear blue water of the Indian Ocean is where you will find the best all-inclusive resort in the Maldives. Having won accolades in 2020 from reputed industry sources like Tripadvisor such as Best All-Inclusive in the Maldives and Asia alongside 14th best All-Inclusive Resort in the world, Lily Beach Resort & Spa offers an enchanting destination with premium food and beverage options.
Close to Male and just 25 minutes by seaplane, Lily Beach Resort & Spa is the pioneer of all-inclusive platinum plan concept in the Maldives. The island enjoys a great worldwide reputation for its pristine beaches, lush tropical vegetation, and the prolific reef life, a few meters away from the shore.
Lily Beach Resort & Spa has a range of accommodation to meet everyone’s needs, including the latest edition of Beach Suites which sit on the shores of the Indian Ocean. For the ultimate beachside getaway opt for the Beach Residence with Pool. The Beach Villas and Lagoon Villas offer guests an opportunity to connect with nature as they are nestled within the lush foliage. A getaway to the Maldives would not be complete without a stay at a Water Villa, Lily Beach Resort & Spa offers 3 types of Water Villas, a Deluxe Water Villa, a Sunset Water Villa, and a Family Beach Villa. Lily Beach Resort & Spa is the perfect getaway for foodies. The resort offers four restaurants and four bars to choose from, ranging from relaxed bars to fine dining world renowned cuisine.
Tamarind is the resort’s Asian themed fine dining restaurant and guests are, within their all-inclusive package invited to enjoy one a la carte dinner per week. Sit outside on the deck and indulge in the most popular dishes of Asia, offering a sublime choice of Thai and Indian cuisine. Be sure to sit outside on the decking and dine under the stars.
Every evening, the culinary art of teppanyaki takes centre stage at the AQVA Bar. Not only will this live cooking station seduce your taste buds with the freshest and top-quality ingredients, but it will also make your dinner an extraordinary experience. Fresh lobster and the finest Wagyu beef compliment an extensive menu choice. Sit around the teppan iron griddle and watch our teppanyaki chefs cook delicious food before your very eyes, topping off their culinary expertise with superb flipping, tossing and juggling flair.
For the ultimate culinary journey and evening at Les Turquoise D’Aqua is a must, consisting of a five-course degustation menu that derives its quality from a harmonious symphony of fresh produce and mindful preparation. Embark upon a sumptuous fine dining experience, combining the thrilling contemporary cuisine with the peacefulness of the setting.
Lily Maa is the main buffet-style restaurant which offers a different world cuisine each day of the week, from seafood, Asian to BBQ nights, it is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
As the resort is based on an all-inclusive basis this means that you can enjoy a range of unlimited beverages. Be sure to head over to Vibes Bar and enjoy the tunes of the live DJ or pass by the AQVA Bar and watch the sunset.
Included in the no surprise package are 3 excursions per stay. Decide if you wish to hop on board the traditional dhoni to visit one of the local islands to get an insight into the Maldivian culture and way of life, or sail at a leisurely pace across the picturesque scenery of the Atoll with its palm-fringed island, sandbanks and snorkel at the colourful coral gardens. If fishing is something that reels you in, you will enjoy spending the day out on the ocean, brushing up on your fishing skills. If you are looking for a slower more relaxed pace a visit to the 5 star Tamara Spa is a must. The Tamara Spa overwater pavilions feature one exclusive double villa with indoor and outdoor shower, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam, five double villas with outdoor shower and Jacuzzi, one unique double Thai room with outdoor shower and Jacuzzi, and a spa manicure and pedicure room with nail bar. If you seek to improve your wellness, recreational activities also include pilates, yoga, and zumba.
Buy now and book later, pay for 9 nights and stay for 10 or pay for 12 nights and stay for 14 nights! You do not need to select your exact dates now, simply reserve the offer and use anytime from 1st October 2020 to 30th April 2021.
For more information please visit www.lilybeachmaldives.com
Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa
The Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is located a 45-minute scenic flight from Malé International Airport, and it is followed by a short 20-minute speedboat ride to Dhonakulhi Island. For those looking for complete privacy and comfort, a private seaplane can be chartered with a direct route from Malé International Airport to Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa. Alternatively, guests arriving with their own private yacht can cruise to the world-class Marina at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa.
Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is the perfect exclusive all-suite Maldives resort for those who demand genuine luxury and the utmost in privacy. The 103 villas located amidst the island’s coconut groves, lush vegetation and over the surrounding blue lagoon offer uncompromised privacy for all guests. The 10 categories of villas, ranging between 176 sqm and 1,400 sqm in size, are amongst the largest in the Maldives. Set on a crescent-shaped private island, this incredible resort offers a choice of private villas or private villas with pools for its guests to unwind and enjoy a home away from home. Beachside or over the water villas the associated privacy levels offered are the hallmark of this award winning destination. Gourmands can indulge in an award-winning culinary experience. Start your day in the best possible way, enjoying breath-taking views of the Indian Ocean and savouring your healthy and tasty breakfast, poolside. The full and varied menu of the Instagram famous “Floating Breakfast” includes freshly baked pastries, eggs, vegetables, fresh fruits and juices, tea or coffee.
A dining highlight at the oceanfront restaurant Matheefaru, which means coral reef in the local language, is the team of talented chefs who offer live cooking for the perfectly seasoned dish, made the way you like. A lobster dinner is certainly one of Hideaway’s most popular dining experience, savour the fresh lobster and enjoy the amazing over-water setting of the restaurant.
Samsara Asian Fusion offers serene surroundings coupled with an exquisite fusion of Thai, Indian and Japanese influences. It boasts a romantic location of an open-air terrace perched on stilts above the impossibly blue lagoon; outstanding fine dining and a teppanyaki table will excite the taste buds. Sit comfortably around the Teppanyaki counter and be mesmerized by Chef’s exceptional culinary prowess in cooking meat, seafood and vegetables. The Chef will prepare and cook Japanese delicacies with flair and to perfection on an open grill right in front of you.
Enjoy dining under the stars on the beach at Meeru Bar and Grill. You can choose among an extensive spread of prime cut meat, seafood and vegetable dishes. The talented team of chefs are on hand to cook your chosen ingredients to your liking.
For a unique and memorable dinner opt for the tailor-made culinary experiences. A romantic candlelit dinner under a blanket of stars, a charming picnic on a deserted Maldivian island, a private barbecue on a secluded beach or an intimate seafood feast in a dining pavilion over the water – the only limit is your imagination.
For a more relaxed and casual dining experience soak your feet in the water of the infinity pool facing the ocean while enjoying a delicious seafood platter or a scrumptious entrecote. Sunset Pool Café is the ideal dining setting during the warm evenings at Hideaway.
Once you are ready to step outside your luxurious and secluded villa it is time to discover the true magic of the Maldives. A tropical world of uninhabited desert islands straight from Robinson Crusoe tales, a vibrant marine wonderland, a traditional Dhoni from which to catch the freshest supper imaginable and luxurious sailboats for cruising the sparkling Indian Ocean. Blissful Spa treatments, balancing yoga practice and energetic workouts…a diverse array of activities awaits at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa. Wellbeing is a core part of the Hideaway experience, with the divine Hideaway Spa offering a range of treatments for rejuvenation and relaxation. Hideaway Spa has 12 intimate and comfortable private treatment rooms, a steam room, outdoor pavilion, manicure, pedicure station, and a relaxation zone, surrounded by the gentle sound of the waves. As well as the traditional Spa treatments, Hideaway Spa offers ayurvedic treatments such as the Shirodhara treatment consisting of a gentle and continuous flow of oil poured onto the forehead, the Kerala Massage, focusing on vital energy points, and the Abhyanga Massage, including a head and body massage.
The perfect Maldives retreat, Hideaway offers the utmost in romance and is one of the preferred destinations for those celebrating a special occasion. Families are very welcome at Hideaway, with an extensive Kids Club available to help keep young travellers entertained during their stay.
Buy now, book later, pay 6 nights and stay 7 nights, pay 8 nights, and stay 10 nights or pay 11 nights and stay 14 nights. You do not need to select your exact dates now, simply reserve the offer and use anytime from 1st October 2020 to 30th April 2021.
Located on the trunk of the Palm Jumeirah, this hotel has somehow gone under our radar until now. We are interested to see what our evening at Dukes The Palm, a Royal Hideaway Hotel will entail. We head through the lobby and follow the continual signage to West 14th. While I previously believed the venue to be situated within the hotel, it is instead a five-minute walk and actually located near the beach. For those with mobility issues (or for when temperatures are too hot), simply ask the concierge to arrange for a buggy (as we did on our return). On arrival, we find more of a beach club than the traditional steakhouse I had been imagining. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, with views looking back onto the Marina.
So, how is the food? Our waiter brings out a warm crusty loaf of bread, with butter, and my dining partner is all too happy to indulge. We review the menu, which seems to offer a range of appropriate dishes for American cuisine expectations. Although there are a variety of cuts of beef available, a few more cuts would be great to see. For starters, there are plenty of tempting choices (we bypass both the Burrata, as well as the Crab Cakes), and even though I know I am having steak as the main course, I still order the Steak Tartare. We also decide to split the West 14th Caesar. The Steak Tartare is prepared tableside, which we love. Although the lighting is a bit dark, so we can’t see all the finer details, all the elements are there, including a silky egg yolk. The dish is served with a relatively generous side salad (unexpected, but lovely in a starter). Across the table, my dining partner devours the Caesar Salad, which is served correctly (i.e., with white anchovies). We also like the addition of the hard-boiled egg with a soft centre. Both dishes are filling and could technically be split between two people (although we choose not to).
we instead decide on USDA Prime Grain Fed Rib Eye, 250g. We like the variety of sauces offered, and I’m happy with my Béarnaise, while my dining partner enjoys Garlic Butter. Between us, our steaks come with a side dish, and we split the difference -- Wagyu Fat Chips and Grilled Veggies. Our steak is a generous cut and cooked to our preferred medium-rare perfection. The Wagyu Fat Chips are one of the best in the city and reach the right balance of crispiness and soft texture in the middle. I would happily order them again.
For dessert, we are spoiled for choice, and my American palate is delighted with the options. My dining partner opts for the Warm Chocolate Pudding, which takes an extra bit of time to cook, but is well worth the wait. I try the American Apple Pie, the Apple Pie and Vanilla Ice Cream do their job and offer a satisfying end to our meal. Arabic. Should you want to visit, there is also a Friday and Saturday brunch, called Splash and Brunch, which, as you may have guessed allows you to enjoy a brunch experience along with the pool or beach pass. Brunch is priced at AED 199 for soft beverages and AED 269 for house beverages and is available from 1.00pm to 4.00pm Friday and Saturday.
Steak Tartare, AED 80 West 14th Caesar, AED 60 USDA Prime Grain Fed Rib Eye, 250g, AED 190 Wagyu Fat Chips, AED 25 Grilled Veggies, AED 25 Warm Chocolate Pudding, AED 50 American Apple Pie, AED 45
